Cincinnati has had a very strong track record in the past few years when it comes to producing elite secondary play in the defensive backfield. There have been some high-level names that have held down the back half of Bearcat defenses as of late. It wouldn’t be a bold take to say that Sauce Gardner and Coby Bryant were the best cornerback duo in school history in 2021. Bryant was the 2021 Jim Thrope Award winner for best Defensive Back. While 2022 saw the rise of Javon Hicks and Arquon Bush in the Bearcat backfield.
However, as Bearcat fans know, there’s turnover. There is some familiarity in this room, and some new faces but nothing like the Wide Reciever room. Sheppard transferred over to Maryland, and Smith to Michigan State. While Taj Ward and Sammy Anderson Jr. look to step into deeper roles alongside Byron Threats for the team this year.
The Returners
Threats is the leading tackler in the secondary to return. The Columbus, OH native finished last season with 58 total tackles and two interceptions in 10 starts. He appeared in all 13 games. Threats will be a crucial piece in this secondary at the Safety position as he looks to help keep the bar set high for this defensive backfield in the Cincinnati secondary.
The secondary will need some veteran leadership this season if it wants to hold the standard. This comes with Threats due to last season, but this will come from the sixth-year Safety Ward as well. Reports from Camp Higher Ground are that Ward is slotted in as the Safety next to Threats. He played a lot of nickel corner for last year’s defense and will look to be a staple piece for secondary coach Kerry Coombs and new defensive coordinator Bryan Brown.
The third guy that is returning from last season that should see an increased role this year is cornerback Anderson. The Junior and Dayton, OH native played some corner last year as he rotated in a good bit with Ward at the nickel position. Anderson finished the season with 19 tackles and a forced fumble. Look for Anderson to hold down one of the outside corner positions this season.
Incoming Transfers, Including Another Former Gator
Threats, Ward, and Anderson seem to be three of the main guys that will begin the year in the defensive backfield. That leaves one corner position vacant, and it is looking like Florida transfer Jordan Young will fill that void. He comes over with wide receiver, Xzavier Henderson from Gainesville. It seems Young has been the star of fall camp this year and has lived up to some hype he gained as a transfer from the SEC.
Just a redshirt sophomore, Young still has three years of eligibility left after spending two seasons of play for the Gators. Moving up to Clifton, Young looks to follow the path of Sauce Gardner and Coby Bryant as Bearcat star cornerbacks. He didn’t get much of a chance to showcase his abilities at Florida. However, he was a four-star recruit out of high school in Tampa. Coach Brown and Head Coach Scott Satterfield are certainly hopeful and excited that he’ll be able to clamp down one side of the field this year in the secondary.
The other transfer that could look to make a splash this year is former Arizona State Sun Devil, DJ Taylor. He is also a Tampa, FL native. Taylor played three seasons at Arizona State and played in 25 games. He made arguably his biggest impact in the return game. Taylor is a dynamic returner and has a 107-yard kick-off return in his time on the job in Tempe. His role for Cincinnati this year is somewhat unclear right now to most, but he should have an immediate impact on the defense for Brown and on special teams for Kerry Coombs.
Reason for Optimism
It’s good to have some familiar guys back in the fold this season in the defensive backfield. Although, most weren’t the main guys last year they have gained some game experience and are primed to take the next level for the position room. While Deshawn Pace is another guy that will play some hybrid positions for the defense this year. He has played plenty of secondary snaps over his career in Cincy. Pace excels closer to the line of scrimmage, and will likely be in the box more often than not. Fortunately, Pace has a nose for the ball and five career interceptions so he should be a helpful hand in the passing defense.
With the defensive line being the obvious strength of this whole Bearcat team with Dontay Corleone, Jowon Briggs, and Malik Vann, they should force a lot of pressure. Coach Brown brings a very interesting and exciting defensive attack to the team. His defense at Louisville last year lead the nation in sacks. A good D-line is a secondary’s dream, they work hand in hand and they could make life much easier for this Cincinnati secondary.
A good mix of returning starters, former ‘back-ups’ ready to step up, and intriguing transfers making up this room is something to be hopeful about. They all have reputations to keep for this program and will be tasked to defend against some high-flying Big 12 air attacks. With some new and successful coaches to fall back on, Bearcat fans can absolutely be optimistic about the secondary this year.
